PURPOSE
This study was to explore and describe the reported experiences of elderly spouses who care their bedridden spouse in the home.
METHODS
The participants of this study were 14 male and female elderly spouses who live in B metropolitan city and have provided care for more than six months. Data were collected from July 3 to November 6, 2014. Data analysis was done simultaneously with data collection, using the analytical methods of Strauss and Corbin for Grounded theory.
RESULTS
The core category was identified as ‘ going together bearing a heavy burden of care in old age.’ In this study, the caring process of elderly spouses can be explained in terms of three stages such as ‘ a period of trial and error,’‘ a period of mastering a role,’ and ‘ a period of role transcendence’.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study can provide an intervention framework to reduce the heavy burden of caring for an elderly spouse.

Citations

• Mechanism for meeting the care of older adults in rural China—relying on spouse, offspring or community?
  Ziyue Dong, Jianliang Nie, Dan Li, Yufeng Wu
  BMC Geriatrics.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Understanding the Roles of over 65-Year-Old Male and Female Carers: A Comparative Analysis of Informal Caregiving
  Purificación Ballester, Clara Pérez-Esteve, Alicia Sánchez-García, Eva Gil-Hernández, Mercedes Guilabert, José Joaquín Mira
  Geriatrics.2025; 10(3): 75.     CrossRef
• Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire–Carer
  JuHee Lee, Young H. Sohn, Seok Jong Chung, Sung Hae Kim, Yujin Suh, Jungah Park, Yielin Kim
  Journal of Clinical Neurology.2023; 19(6): 547.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore conflict resolution styles, marital intimacy and family functions among breast cancer patients and their spouses.
METHODS
The subjects were total 126 participants. Breast cancer patients who completed chemotherapy and or radiation along with their spouses. Data were collected using questionnaires with questions about conflict resolution styles, marital intimacy and family functions.
RESULTS
There were no differences between breast cancer patients and their spouses in verbal aggression, avoidance of conflict resolution styles and family functions. As patients reported using positive conflict resolution styles the spouse-perceived marital intimacy and family functions were higher. Those patients who perceived marital intimacy as lower they also reported more verbal aggression and avoidance. As breast cancer patients perceived family functions increasing, their spouses perception of both intimacy and family function increased.
CONCLUSION
As these results, it should be considered as basic data to develop family intervention programs such as positive communication and effective stress management and improving of conflict resolution, intimacy and family functions among breast cancer patients and their spouses.

Citations

• Do spouse burden of care, family resilience, and coping affect family function in gynecologic cancer in Korea?: a cross-sectional study
  Minkyung Kim, Sukhee Ahn
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2022; 28(3): 197.     CrossRef
• Impact of Uncertainty on the Quality of Life of Young Breast Cancer Patients: Focusing on Mediating Effect of Marital Intimacy
  Yeong Kyong Oh, Seon Young Hwang
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2018; 48(1): 50.     CrossRef